Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin City’s unbeaten start to the season continued yesterday afternoon, but the 10-men were left frustrated after being pegged back late on by Clachnacuddin.

A brave, battling performance with a man disadvantage looked set to yield three points when Paul Watson fired home late in the second half, but a Clach equaliser four minutes from time forced the sides to share the spoils.

McKinnon made four changes from the team that drew with Deveronvale last weekend, with Sweeney, Klimionek and Sheridan returning to the line-up, while new loan signing Finlay Allan was handed a debut on the right side of midfield.

Clach striker James Anderson had the first sight of goal just two minutes in when his shot was deflected onto the roof of the net.

City responded strongly, and were unfortunate not to take the lead on eight minutes. Macleod’s corner picked out Watson, whose downwards header bounced against the bar. Moments later, Spark rose well to meet a Klimionek free-kick, only to see his effort comfortably gathered by visiting goalkeeper Ridgers.

Brechin continued to push forward, with McGrath volleying over from the edge of the box, before Taylor was denied by a smart interception from Ridgers after neat link-up play in the penalty area.

Clach, however, remained a threat. Anderson dragged narrowly wide of the far post on the quarter hour mark. The frontman would cause problems again when he looked to take advantage of a lapse in defence but Spark recovered well to block his strike.

City came out with renewed purpose after the restart. Within two minutes, Hepburn’s long kick upfield sent Taylor racing clear, but the winger pulled his shot wide of the far post. Sheridan then provided a tempting delivery to the back post which Taylor volleyed high and wide.

The games defining moment came on 63 minutes. Taylor, already harshly booked for alleged simulation when replays show he had been fouled, was again bundled over on the edge of the box. Frustrated at being brought down yet again, he slammed the ball to the ground and was shown a second yellow card for dissent, reducing City to ten men.

The dismissal, if anything, galvanised City - rather than retreat, they showed real grit. Watson’s free-kick created a chance for Sweeney, who knocked over from close range, while Ridgers almost gifted Brechin the opener when he spilled another Watson delivery before recovering at the second attempt.

The pressure mounted, and on 83 minutes the breakthrough finally came. Tosh’s fierce volley was parried by Ridgers, but PAUL WATSON reacted quickest to slide in the rebound from close range, sparking wild celebrations among the home support.

Just as City seemed on course for an important win with ten men, Clach were handed a lifeline. A handball decision against Macleod on the edge of the area gave the visitors the opportunity to equalise from the spot. Hepburn, in a similar fashion to last weekend, dived brilliantly to deny Anderson from the spot, but substitute JOSH MEEKINGS was first to the rebound to level the match.

City still had one final chance in stoppage time when Macleod carved out space inside the box and his low strike looked destined for the far corner, but Ridgers produced a fine low stop to preserve a point for the visitors.

The draw saw City slip into second place in the Highland League, but their unbeaten run remains intact. With a man disadvantage for the final half-hour, there were positives to take from City’s resilience and determination.

Next weekend promises to be another stern test, as McKinnon’s men travel to North Lodge Park to face Formartine United in search of a return to winning ways.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 5 Deveronvale 0

Brora Rangers 2 Lossiemouth 0

Forres Mechanics 0 Turriff United 3

Fraserburgh 7 Nairn County 0

Inverurie Locos 1 Wick Academy 1

Keith 2 Huntly 0

Rothes 1 Buckie Thistle 4

Strathspey Thistle 1 Formartine United 2